The David Owsley Museum of Art has introduced people to new experiences and concepts, but recently student’s email boxes have been introduced to another new term: docent.
“I was doing a sculpture tour, and I was showing a group of second graders a sculpture of Lincoln where he looks very morose.” said Nicole Griffetts, a senior history major, as she shared a story that she will always remember, while working as a docent.
Griffetts said a docent is a group of community members and students that facilitate education in the museum, as well as give guided tours to visiting groups.
“I asked the kids what they thought, [and] one little child said ‘He looks like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders,’” she said. “That was a really insightful answer from such a little kid. The art museum is a great place where anyone can express themselves.”
Tania Said, the curator of education at the art museum, is asking students and community members who are interested in art and history to attend a meeting at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
“We encourage lots of different backgrounds, so they can connect in different ways. You can transition from knowing nothing about art or the museum to giving full tours,” Said said.
Those looking to volunteer their time will have to attend weekly meetings for a semester before they are qualified to give guided tours.
“It is pretty intensive training, and can be very intimidating for the first couple weeks when you start,” Griffetts said. “But you will learn it’s a very welcoming environment it helped me feel at ease.”
Griffetts said the most important thing is learning how to talk to several different groups of people, from young children to assisted living communities, and learning how to put them at ease and introduce them to a topic which they may otherwise not have seen.
Sarah Olson, a sophomore pre-art major, said if she had more time she would love to volunteer as a docent, and will keep it in mind for the future.
“It’s the museum. It’s art,” Olson said. “I love the traveling displays that they put up, as well as learning about all the artwork.”
Cindy Hines, a junior English major, was somewhat interested, until she learned it was an unpaid activity.
Said asks everyone who is interested to attend the meeting on Thursday.
“Come; hear what it is all about. Coming to the meeting doesn’t mean you are committed it is a chance to try it on for size,” Said said.
